The Cape Cod community is reeling after an act of vandalism targeted a cherished memorial bridge named in honor of fallen U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. William Joseph Donovan Jr. Over the weekend, eight American flags were destroyed and desecrated on the Route 6 overpass now known as the Lance Cpl. William Joseph Donovan Jr. Memorial Bridge.
This deeply troubling incident has reignited local concerns over the security of public memorials across Cape Cod. The vandalism, which included flags being hung upside down, torn, and defaced with unknown substances, was discovered on Saturday night. The Yarmouth Police Department has since increased patrols of all overpasses in the area, hoping to prevent further acts of disrespect.
The bridge, located in the heart of Cape Cod, was officially renamed in 2017 in memory of Donovan, who was awarded two Purple Heart medals for his service during Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. Donovan tragically passed away in a motorcycle crash in 2015 at just 27 years old.
A Family’s Plea for Accountability
Jane Donovan, the Marine’s mother, is heartbroken over the repeated desecration of the bridge that honors her son’s sacrifice. “Something has to be done,” she said tearfully in a statement to local media. “This isn’t just about my son—it’s about what the flag represents for all of Cape Cod and our nation.”
Jane, a Quincy resident, is now calling for traffic cameras to be installed on the bridge to help authorities catch future perpetrators. She also noted that this isn’t the first time the flags or signage on the bridge have been vandalized, and that the pattern has left her family devastated.
Deep Community Ties Across Cape Cod
The impact of this incident is being felt throughout Cape Cod, particularly among military families. State Representative Steven Xiarhos, a Cape Cod Republican who also lost his Marine son in Afghanistan, voiced his outrage. His son, Nicholas Xiarhos, was a close friend of Donovan’s, with both graduating from Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School in 2006.
“This was cowardly and calculated,” said Xiarhos. “When you disrespect the American flag, you hurt the people who have served under it.”
The Nicholas G. Xiarhos Memorial Fund is stepping in to replace the vandalized flags, ensuring they are securely grommeted on all four corners to prevent future damage. The new flags are expected to be ready in time for this Sunday’s 16th Annual Big Nick’s Ride for the Fallen, a prominent Cape Cod motorcycle event that draws veterans and supporters from across the country.
Veterans Speak Out
Jim Seymour, Executive Director of the Cape and Islands Veterans Outreach Center, added his voice to the condemnation. “The American flag is not just a symbol. It’s a legacy carried by those who never returned home,” he said. “To desecrate it on Cape Cod soil is heartbreaking.”
A Community United
Despite the heartbreak, Cape Cod residents are rallying around the Donovan family. The bridge has become a powerful symbol of service, sacrifice, and community resilience. Local officials are exploring enhanced security measures, and discussions are underway to fund surveillance upgrades on all Cape Cod memorial sites.
For a region so steeped in American history and military tradition, this incident has served as a painful reminder of the need to safeguard public spaces that honor our heroes.
As Jane Donovan so poignantly stated, “It’s not about politics—it’s about respect. Everyone in this country, no matter where you come from, should honor that.”
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